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November, 1959 Grand Mufti Haj Hussein, Occupied Palestine

Appendix Five

SECRET MEMORANDUM ADDRESSED BY THE MUFTI TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF ALL ARAB STATES (NOVEMBER 1959)

(Reprinted from Jewish Observer and Middle East Review, London, January 15, 1960.)

The cause of Palestine is at present passing through a delicate stage. The enemies are exerting all their efforts in an attempt to liquidate Palestine and wipe out all trace of its Arab populace, as is evident from the web of plots which they are still hatching against the Arabs.

They are seizing every opportunity of carrying out these plots, whether at the present session of the U.N. General Assembly or at forthcoming international conferences, including the Summit conference. Britain, for instance, is insisting on putting Middle East problems on its agenda.

The statement recently made by the American Secretary of State calling on the Arabs to negotiate with the Jews with a view to liquidating the state of tension arising from the Palestine problem, the statements from time to time that the subsidies to UNRWA are running short and will eventually be exhausted, the BRUTAL MALTREATMENT OF THE ARABS IN OCCUPIED PALESTINE, Ben Gurion’s recent statements during the election campaign that both banks of the Jordan must be merged with the Jewish State, and many other statements, present the Arabs with fresh evidence of the imperialist-Zionist designs for the liquidation of the Palestinian problem.

The memorandum here enters into a dissertation on the history of the Palestine problem, following familiar propaganda lines. It then continues:

On the occasion of the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, the Arab Higher Committee deems it its duty towards Palestine and Arabism to express once again the viewpoint of the Palestinian Arabs on this question.

The factors and reasons which led the Arabs and their States to reject and oppose the partition and internationalization resolutions have not changed. Nothing has occurred to make the Arabs change their attitude.

The partition resolution set aside for the Jews the best, most fertile and largest parts of Palestine, as well as the port of Haifa and most of the coastline. It placed many Islamic and Christian religious sites and sanctuaries under Jewish control. On the other hand, the partition resolution left for the Arabs an area smaller than that of the Jews.

Most of this area is mountainous and barren, and many parts of it are also separated into pieces which are linked with each other by ridiculous corridors. In addition to all this, the partition resolution stipulated the establishment of economic unity between the Palestinian and Jewish States, and the formation of a Supreme Economic Council to supervise customs, currency and other economic affairs.

IT WAS ONLY NATURAL THAT THE ARABS SHOULD REJECT THE PARTITION RESOLUTION, SINCE NO PEOPLE IN THE WORLD CAN POSSIBLY CONCEDE THE PARTITION OF THEIR HOMELAND, OR ALLOW FOREIGNERS TO CARVE OUT ANY PART OF IT TO SET UP A STATE. TO THIS MAY BE ADDED THE REVOKING OF THE ARABS’ NATURAL RIGHT TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND THE INFRINGEMENT REPRESENTED BY THIS RESOLUTION―NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE ARABS OF PALESTINE WOULD BE PLACED UNDER JEWISH RULE.

As for the establishment of economic unity, this would place the Arab State at the mercy of the Jews, and enable the Jews to attain economic control and to expand economically and financially in the rest of the Arab countries. Economic unity would also necessitate the existence of economic co-operation between the Arabs and Jews, a matter which is tantamount to Arab recognition of the Jewish State and conclusive to a peace treaty with it.

THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE THREAT TO THE ENTIRE ARAB EXISTENCE BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JEWISH STATE IN THE MIDST OF THE ARAB HOMELAND. Peace with Israel would make it a member of the Middle East community. Furthermore, acceptance of the partition resolution requires recognition of the borders of Israel―hence recognition of Israel itself. It would also lead to suspension of the boycott imposed on it, as well as any measures against it.

The Arabs rejected the internationalization resolution because, in addition to the reasons which made them reject the partition resolution, this resolution favours the establishment of bases―or rather influence― not just for one imperialist power, but for many.

Thus, the internationalized areas would become and imperialist base, a centre for foreigners, a melting pot for espionage against the Arabs, and a springboard for obstruction of the progress and liberation of the Arabs. It would also make the holy Aqsa Mosque and the rest of the Islamic and Christian sanctuaries subject to foreign control. Moreover, it would place the economic and national interests of the Arabs at the mercy of the Jews and foreigners.

CERTAIN ARAB STATES ARE DEMANDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE U.N. RESOLUTIONS ON REFUGEES, WHICH GIVE THE REFUGEES CHOICE OF REPATRIATION OR COMPENSATION AND RESETTLEMENT IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES. ACCEPTANCE OF THESE RESOLUTIONS IMPLIES ACQUIESCENCE IN THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-REPATRIATION OR COMPENSATION AND RESETTLEMENT IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES. This is the object which the Jews and their supporters are seeking to realise.

Also, repatriation of the refugees of the refugees to a Palestine housing a Jewish State is a matter which is unacceptable to Jews. But, assuming that the Jews would accept it, what guarantees then can be given to protect the Arabs and safeguard their dignity, money and interests? We are witnessing the criminal, terroristic and atrocious treatment accorded the Arabs in the occupied zone by Jews, under the nose of the U.N.

In view of all this, the Arabs are duty bound to confront the enemies witht the same readiness and determination which they are employing in pursuit of the achievement of their dangerous aims, aims harmful to the interests of Palestine and the entire Arab nation. Continuation of the policy of leniency and placability will inflict more and graver losses upon the Arabs.

THEREFORE, THE ARABS OF PALESTINE REQUEST THE ARAB STATES TO HANDLE THE PALESTINE QUESTION WITH A VIEW TO REALIZING ONE ASPIRATION―TO EXERT ALL EFFORTS AND EMPLOY ALL METHODS IN CONFORMITY WITH A CAREFUL PLAN FOR STAMPING OUT JEWISH AGGRESSION AGAINST PALESTINE AND PURGING IT OF ZIONISM AND IMPERIALISM. IN THIS WAY, THE INTERESTS OF ALL THE ARAB COUNTRIES WILL BE PROTECTED AND PALESTINE BROUGHT BACK TO THE ARAB FOLD.

To realise this supreme aim, Arab interests require that Arab officials should put an end to inter-Arab disputes and work devotedly, firmly and resolutely to mobilize the potentialities of the entire Arab nation to counter the Jewish-imperialist policy of aggression.

Arab officials must stick by the national demands of the Arabs―complete and retracting nothing―and seek to realise the complete unity of the Arabs. This requires the adoption of a firm attitude towards the states which help and assist the Jews, the tightening of the Arab blockade imposed on the Jewish State, the combatting of its efforts to expand economically and commercially in Asia and Africa, the unification of the military commands, the reinforcement of the Arab, the training of Arab youth as the Jews train their youth, the postponement of all luxury projects, and the confinement of financial expenditure to military preparation and matters.

In view of the great part which the Palestinians could play in regaining their fatherland, we appeal to the Arab States to take the initiative and bring Palestine back into existence in the manner desired by the Arabs of Palestine, either by a plebiscite or a free popular election.

Such a move must be backed by training, arms, money, etc. All Palestinians from 18 to 50 must be brought under compulsory military training and a Palestinian army must be created, trained and armed to be the vanguard of the Arab forces which will march to regain Palestine.

Chairman of the Arab Higher Committee for Palestine, Beirut.

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